Signs of premature birth

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on October 30, 2024
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Generally, babies born between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation are considered premature. Normally, premature babies have underdeveloped organ systems, which makes them prone to serious abnormalities in various organs after birth. This can lead to conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome or cerebral palsy. Signs of premature labor typically include sudden regular abdominal pain without any other abnormalities, accompanied by clear uterine contractions and a feeling of abdominal heaviness, with a persistent, notable dilation of the cervix.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of premature birth?

Premature birth refers to delivery occurring between 28 and 36+6 weeks of pregnancy. The symptoms of premature birth primarily include the following aspects: First, regular uterine contractions occur. These contractions can lead to the descent of the fetal head and exert pressure on the cervix, which is necessary for the delivery of the fetus. It generally manifests as pain every three to five minutes, with each episode of pain lasting more than one minute, and both the frequency and intensity of the pain gradually increasing. Second, the appearance of "bloody show" occurs. As the fetus descends, it can cause the rupture of capillaries at the edge of the membranes, leading to bloody show. Third, there is a noticeable feeling of heaviness or pressure. Gynecological examinations can reveal dilation of the cervix and shortening of the cervical canal. When these symptoms appear, an assessment for premature birth should be conducted, and preparations for premature delivery should be made.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Can premature birth stitch the cervix?

Generally, a fetus delivered between 28 to 37 weeks of gestation is considered preterm. Before preterm birth, there may be regular abdominal pain accompanied by persistent dilation of the cervix, which essentially confirms the onset of preterm labor, and there is no way to avoid it. During the process of preterm birth, it is not appropriate to stitch the cervix. Stitching the cervix is a surgical procedure mainly aimed at patients with cervical insufficiency during mid-pregnancy. It is generally recommended to stitch the cervix around 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. If the fetus is large and mature, stitching the cervix may cause injury to the fetus and can also lead to embryonic death.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Is a posterior placenta more likely to lead to premature birth?

The placenta is divided into anterior and posterior walls, with the posterior wall being a normal location for the placenta, which is unrelated [to preterm birth]. Generally, there is a hereditary tendency for preterm birth, and it is more likely to occur in individuals with certain physical constitutions or in cases of twin pregnancies. Additionally, people with gestational diabetes are also prone to preterm birth. Therefore, the posterior wall of the placenta has no correlation with preterm birth. Conditions like placenta previa or premature placental detachment are placental positions that can lead to preterm birth issues, and some people may experience preterm birth under these circumstances.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Do frequent Braxton Hicks contractions lead to preterm labor?

In the late stages of pregnancy, there may be occurrences of Braxton Hicks contractions, generally happening at a low frequency of about two to three times per day. Some individuals experience these false contractions primarily at night, which disappear during the day. This is considered normal physiological behavior in the late stages of pregnancy. If there is a frequent occurrence of Braxton Hicks contractions, it may also lead to the dilation of the cervix, causing premature labor. Therefore, if this situation arises and the fetus is not yet full-term, it is recommended to go to the hospital for an examination in a timely manner, and symptomatic treatment to maintain the pregnancy may be necessary.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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What is the earliest gestational week that a premature baby can survive?

Preterm infants, how many weeks can survive, first let's talk about the concept of preterm birth. The concept of preterm birth is more than 28 weeks but less than 37 weeks, this is called premature birth. However, with the improvement of neonatal resuscitation technology, in China, if it’s after 26 weeks, the vast majority of newborns can also survive. But after survival, the cost is quite high. For instance, if it's in a top-tier hospital, the cost for newborns born between 26 and 28 weeks can be around several hundred thousand yuan. So, even after some medical insurance policy reimbursements, you would still have to spend around tens of thousands of yuan on your own.